HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-143 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2008/11/03RESOLUTION NO. 08-143
RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE SOUTHWEST TRANSITWAY BE GIVEN
HIGH PRIORITY IN THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL UPDATED 2030
TRANSPORTATION POLICY PLAN (TPP)
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of St. Louis Park is the official governing body of
the City of St. Louis Park; and
WHEREAS, this project is consistent with the City of St. Louis Park Comprehensive Plan
and is consistent with the policies of the Metropolitan Council's Development Guide, including the
Transportation Policy Plan and Development Framework; and
WHEREAS, a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line servicing the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis
Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie will improve mobility and will help maintain a
competitive business environment and high quality of life for the entire Southwest Metro Area; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is the region's designated metropolitan planning
organization (MPO) and is therefore responsible for preparing the region's long-range plan for
transportation, the Transportation Policy Plan (TPP); and
WHEREAS, the current TPP includes a goal of doubling transit ridership by 2030 through
improvements to the bus system and implementation of a system of transitways; and
WHEREAS, the current TPP identifies the Northstar, Cedar, I -35W, Bottineau, and
Central Transitways as Tier I for implementation by 2020 and the Southwest, Red Rock, and Rush
Line Transitways as Tier II for implementation between 2020 and 2030; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is currently updating the Transportation Policy Plan
(TPP) for adoption by December of 2008; and
WHEREAS, transitways intending to compete for Federal New Starts funding must be
identified in the region's long-range transportation plan, the TPP; and
WHEREAS, a significant partnership represented by the Southwest Policy Advisory
Committee has been formed over the past six years among public sector and private interests in the
Southwest Metro area led by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) and
including the cities of Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Minneapolis;
the Metropolitan Council; Metro Transit and SouthWest Metro Transit, Three Rivers Park District,
and the Twin West, Minneapolis Regional, and Eden Prairie Chambers of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, with direction and guidance from the Southwest Policy Advisory Committee, a
Feasibility Study was completed in 2003 that concluded that light rail is a feasible alternative to serve
the travel needs of this area given the projected growth in population and employment projected for
the Southwest part of the region, and in 2007, an Alternative Analysis (AA) narrowed the range of
viable alternatives to three possible light rail routes; and
Resolution No. 08-143 -2-
WHEREAS, a Southwest Transitway is expected to serve nearly 30,000 trips per day,
significantly contribute to managing congestion in the fastest growth area of the region, provide
access to jobs and support economic development, provide a competitive travel choice, and offer a
cost-effective transportation option; and
WHEREAS, the Southwest Transitway is expected to be a competitive candidate for Federal
New Starts funding; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of St. Louis Park respectfully
requests that the Metropolitan Council identify the Southwest Transitway in the updated 2030
Transportation Policy Plan as the next LRT line for implementation after the Central Corridor LRT
line, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of St. Louis Park requests that the updated
30 Transportation Policy Plan reflect that the Southwest Transitway is planned to be operational
no ater than 2015.
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Attest:
Adod bile7ay Council November 3, 2008
Mayor